ji5 ngaa4 waan4 ngaa4以牙還牙以牙还牙
Jyutpingji5 ngaa4 waan4 ngaa4
Yaleyíh ngàh wàahn ngàh
Definition
To take revenge; to do the exact same thing to someone that they did to hurt you; an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.
colloquialemotionpeople
How it's used
Carries a strong sense of calculated retribution rather than just a spontaneous outburst of anger. It is often used to describe a cycle of conflict where one party feels justified in mirroring the negative actions of another. While it sounds formal due to its idiom structure, it is frequently used in casual conversation to describe interpersonal disputes or competitive rivalries.
Examples
He treats me so badly, I must pay him back in his own coin.
Related words
Common phrases
tit-for-tat tactics
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
